GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 21366 Converter Holding Strap

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 680767  Size: SH
  1. Disconnect the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Drain the transmission fluid if necessary. Refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Replacement .
  4. Remove the rear propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  5. Support the transmission with a transmission jack.
  6. Remove the transmission support from the vehicle. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement in Frame and Underbody.

  7. Object Number: 648001  Size: SH
  8. Remove the exhaust crossover pipe assembly. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Pipe Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  9. Lower the transmission to gain access to the top and sides of the transmission.
  10. Remove the transmission mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement .
  11. Remove the transfer case, if equipped. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement in Transfer Case - 233-NP1 or Transfer Case Shield Replacement in Transfer Case - NVG 236-NP8.
  12. Remove the shift cable end from the transmission shift lever ball stud and the pan rail bracket. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Replacement .

  13. Object Number: 394459  Size: SH
  14. Remove the transmission heat shield, if equipped.

  15. Object Number: 396800  Size: SH
  16. Disconnect the transmission vent hose, the park/neutral position switch connector, and the main electrical connector from the transmission. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement .
  17. Remove the bolt that secures the fuel line bracket to the left side of the transmission.

  18. Object Number: 394446  Size: SH
  19. Remove the torque converter access plug.
  20. Remove the starter motor to gain access to the torque converter bolts. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  21. Mark the flywheel to torque converter relationship.
  22. Remove the flywheel to torque converter bolts. Use care not to drop the bolts into the bell housing.
  23. Disconnect the transmission oil cooler lines from the transmission. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Quick-Connect Fitting Disconnection and Connection .
  24. Plug the transmission oil cooler line connectors in the transmission case.
  25. Install a safety chain around the transmission.
  26. Remove the studs and/or bolts that secure the transmission to the engine.
  27. Install the J 21366 onto the transmission bell housing to retain the torque converter.
  28. Pull the transmission straight back.
  29. Remove the transmission from the vehicle.
  30. Flush the transmission oil cooler and lines. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 394446  Size: SH
  1. Install the J 21366 onto the transmission bell housing to retain the torque converter.
  2. Raise the transmission into place and remove the J 21366 from the transmission.
  3. Slide the transmission straight onto the locating pins while lining up the marks on the flywheel and the torque converter made during removal.
  4. The torque converter must be flush onto the flywheel and rotate freely by hand.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  5. Install studs and/or bolts securing the transmission to the engine.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the studs and/or bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 394457  Size: SH
  7. Install the flywheel to torque converter bolts. Use care not to drop the bolts into the bell housing.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).

  9. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.

  10. Object Number: 408374  Size: SH
  11. Install the torque converter access plug.
  12. Remove the safety chain from the transmission.

  13. Object Number: 396800  Size: SH
  14. Install the transmission vent hose, fuel lines, and the wiring harness to the transmission.

  15. Object Number: 394459  Size: SH
  16. Install the bolts securing the heat shield to the transmission.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

  18. Install the shift cable end to the transmission shift lever ball stud. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Replacement .
  19. Install the transfer case, if equipped. Refer to Transfer Case Assembly Replacement in Transfer Case - 233-NP1 or Transfer Case Shield Replacement in Transfer Case - NVG 236-NP8.

  20. Object Number: 648001  Size: SH
  21. Connect the vent tube hose and the electrical connections to the transfer case, if equipped.
  22. Install the transmission mount to the transmission (2WD) or transfer case adapter (4WD). Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement .
  23. Install the exhaust crossover pipe assembly. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Pipe Replacement in Engine Exhaust.

  24. Object Number: 680767  Size: SH
  25. Install the transmission support to the vehicle. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  26. Remove the transmission jack from the transmission.
  27. Install the rear propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  28. Flush the transmission oil cooler and cooling lines at this time if necessary. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Flushing and Flow Test .
  29. Connect the transmission oil cooler lines to the transmission. Refer to Transmission Fluid Cooler Hose/Pipe Quick-Connect Fitting Disconnection and Connection .
  30. Lower the vehicle.
  31. Connect the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection in Engine Electrical.
  32. Fill the transmission to the proper level with DEXRON VI transmission fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check .
  33. Important: It is recommended that transmission adaptive pressure (TAP) information be reset.

    Resetting the TAP values using a scan tool will erase all learned values in all cells. As a result, The ECM, PCM or TCM will need to relearn TAP values. Transmission performance may be affected as new TAP values are learned.

  34. Reset the TAP values. Refer to Transmission Adaptive Functions .
  35. Road test the vehicle to check for proper operation. Check the transmission for leaks.